Aeronautical machine



y 7, 19355 I J. A. DOMENJOZ 2,000,068

AERONAUTICAL MACHINE Filed June 15, 1954 2' Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Jam 4. flame-Ava: BY fly;

ATTORNEY y 1935. J. A. DOMEVNJOZ 2,000,068

AERONAUTICAL MACHINE Filed June 13, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y A ATTORNEY Patented May 7, 1935 -E mnonaurrosnmonmn John Auguste Domenjoz, New Yorla'NJY. Application June.13, 1934, SerlalNo. 730,422 g In i 'rance August 16, 1932 o1aims.(c1.'244 1 1 This invention relates to aeronautical machines and in general is a power actuated apparatus :of :a type to take the place of the observation; balloon for military use "and con ".5 sists of an improved design and arrangement, inexpensive in its initial (cost and, in its operation and which possesses many important advantages over the customarily employed observation balloon particularly :asto maneuverability so as to materially improve the safety factor for the pilot and the machine.

An important feature of the present invention consists of an improved motor driven means for obtaining the ascensional force comprising a flexible motive canopy, preferably of fabric and in the general form of a parachute, connected to be operated by a motor to operate in the nature of :a flexible "piston to produce a power or lifting'stroke :as the result of suction above and pressure on the air beneath the motive canopy. I -he canopy is secured at its outer margin to a rigid frame or carrier for the motor and pilot and its central portion is connected to be vertically reciprocated by the motor and is provided with a one-way valve or shutter operative to close -on the descending stroke and to open on the ascending stroke of the canopy thus under the action of the motor to create an :ascen'sional force governed by the speed of the motor. The pilot can thus readily control the elevation'of the machine by varying. the speed'of the motor and additional means for vertical maneuvering; is provided in the form --of a manually operated air valve to permit rapid change of elevation when desired while maintaining the motor speed for prompt checking of the descent upon release of the valve.

Further important features include the provision of a supplemental, readily releasable, parachute to check the descent upon failure of the motor thereby with safety allowing of the use of a motive canopy of lesser diameter than-would otherwise be practicable.

The present applicationis in :part a continuation of my pending application Ser. No. 685,276 filed Aug. th, 1933.

The foregoing and other important features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters are applied to the corresponding parts in the several views. 1

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in central, vertical section showing my improved machine.

Fig. 2' is a similar view of the motive canopy and associated parts showing the position at th bottom of the power stroke. y

Fig. '3 is a plan view of the central portion of the canopy and shutter arrangement. '5

Big. 4 is a plan view of thecarrier member or Wherry.

Fig. .5 :isa central, vertical sectional view showing .a modifiedform employing a supplemental parachute carriedby the central portion of the 10 canopy. J

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation showing the parachute in use and Fig; 7 is a detail view inplan showing the central member of the canopy thereof.

in the approved construction embodying the features of my invention :as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, arigid carrier is shown comprised of arectangular Wherry 1 housing :a driving motor m of the internal combustion typeand having a compartment 2 for the pilot.-. The Wherry is rigidly connected at each corner, by means of posts or rods '4, with the annulus 5 formed to provide anchoring means for the outer margin of a flexible motive canopy 6, the central portion of which is connected to be vertically reciprocated by the motor on. To this end, the fly wheel :8 of the motoris provided with :a crank-pin 9 p'ivotally connected bypitman 1.0 to vertically movable rod H fitted within a vertical bearing of bracket l2 supported at the top of the "Wherry. The rod I l'is pivotally connected as shown to the tubular extension rod I 4 which is pivotally connected at I5 to a central hub of a movable annulus IS; the hub portionasshown being connected by radial spokes I! to the annulus. Accordingly, operation of the motor will transmit a vertical reciprocating motion to the movable annulus I '6 to which the inner margin of the flexible canopy is attached so, that thecanopy is vertically reciprocated from its inner margin.

The movable annulusit is also formed with an upper hub portion l'8 supported by radial spokes IS-definmgsegmentaI openings 20 adapted to be closed by segmental shutters 2| pivotally supported at 23 on the hub I8 in position to open upon-swinging downwardly and. inwardly and upon upward movement to close the openings 20 by engagement with the spokes I9 and under surface of the annulus. Each of the shutters is as shown 50 provided with weighted rods 24 afiixed upon its upper surface and inwardly curved to obtain a counter balanced and improved shutter action. The hub 18 is also formed asshown with central r openings 26 closed by aspring pressedvalve 21 to which a cable 28 is attached and carried downwardly within the rod l4 to a point accessible to the operator. The flexible motive canopy 6 is secured to the respective rigid annulus and the movable annulus l6 by means of cables30 and 3| about which its margins are wrapped and secured. At 32 there is provided a suitable slide bearing for the rod l4 supported upon spoke members 33 and 34 indicates tension connecting wires between the annulus 5 and the wherry.

The flexible motive canopy 6 is formed of a suitable fabric such as rubberized canvas in circular dome contour and of such diameter as re quired to produce the desired ascensional force.

when its central portion is verticallyreciprocated by the motor, it being understood that upon the upward stroke of the motor and annulus I8 the,

shutters 2! will open responsive to air pressure from above as shown in Fig. 1 wherein the parts are shown at the end of the up stroke and that upon the downward stroke of the annulus IS the shutters will automatically close so that upon-the downward or power stroke astrong ascensional force is created as a result of suction above the motive canopy and air pressure beneath. Fig. 2 illustrates the position of the parts at the end'of the power stroke.

As will be understood from thestructure described the elevation of the machine may be readily controlled by the throttling of the motor andfor more rapid descent the pilot may at will open the valve 21.

In Figs. 5 to 7, I have shown a desirable modified construction wherein for the purpose of added safety in the event of stoppage of the motor there is provided a supplemental parachute which may be manually released thus to supplement the parachute efiect of the motive canopy and accordingly allow of the employment of the canopy of minimum dimensions with full parachute protection. As shown, the supplemental parachute is carried by the movable annulus l6 which is of modified form omitting the valve of the first described structure and having its upper hub portion provided with a cylindrical housing Gil for the supplemental parachute 4| folded in the usual manner with its outer margin connected by cords 42 to the housing at 43 while the inner marginal portion is foldedover and into a central tube and connected to an ejector member 45 of tubular formslidably fitted at its bottom portion within a cylinder 41 secured tothe lower hub I5 of the annulus. Beneath the ejector 45 there is positioned a compression spring 48 and the ejector member is held in position against the influence of the spring by a latch 49 from which an operating cable 50 is extended downwardly and accessible to the pilot. The ejector member has pivotally secured thereto at its upper portion at 52 an umbrella like pilot parachute 53 to assist the full ejection of the parachute 4|. The top of the housing 40 is normally'clos'ed by pivoted flaps 54 pivoted at 55. The movable annulus as shown is further modified by the arrangement of a double series of air valve shutters 55-51 pivotedat 58-439 upon the annulus member. In emergency as will be understood the operator releases the latch 49 allowing the spring to upwardly eject the parachute 4i with the pilot parachute assisting as shown in Fig. 6.

My improved machine, as will readily be appreciated, is particularly adapted for military observation with materially increased safety to the pilot as compared to the free balloon and further is advantageous by reason of compactness of the machine.

and portability, is economical as compared to the gas balloon. Its motive canopy is at all times available as a parachute for safety and with the manually controlled valve is active as a balanced parachute for improved control in maneuvering As will be understood varied modifications may be made in my improved machine without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An aeronautical machine of, the character described comprising a carrier, 2. motor supported thereby, a flexible motive canopy secured at its outer marginal portion to the carrier and actuating connections from the motor to the central portion of the" canopy operative vertically to reciprocate the canopy central portion and air valve means associated with the central portion 7 of the, canopy to allow passage of air therethrough during the up-stroke of the actuating connections. V 2. Anaeronautical machine of the character described comprising a carrier comprising a wherry having an outer annulus support connected thereto, a motor supported by the wherry, a flexible motive canopy secured at its outer marginal portion to the carrier annulus and provided at its central portion with a movable annulus member secured thereto, actuating connections from the motor to the central annulus for the vertical reciprocation thereof and air valve means carried by the central annulus to allow passage of air through the canopy upon the upstroke of the actuating connections.

3. An aeronautical machine of the character described comprising a carrier. composed of a wherry having an outer annulus member supportedthereon in superimposed relation, a motor supported by the wherry, a flexible motive canopy anchored at its outer marginal portion to the outer annulus and provided at its central portion with a movable annulus member secured thereto, actuating connections from the motor to the movable annulus member and said latter member being provided with pivoted shutter valve means to allow. passage of air beneath the canopy upon the upstroke of the actuating connections and having amanually releasable valve to provide for upward air passage through the canopy for rapid descent.

4. An aeronautical machine of the character described comprising a carrier, a motor supported thereby, a flexible motive canopy secured at its outer marginal portion to the carrier and actuating connections from the motor to the central portion of the canopy operative vertically to reciprocate the canopy central portion, air valve means associated with the central portion of the canopy to allow automatic passage of the air therethrough during the upstroke of the actuating connections, a supplemental parachute car- 'ried by the canopy central portion and manually releasable ejecting means tor the parachute, substantially as described.

5. An aeronautical machine of the character described comprising a carrier, said carrier conmember' adapted to vertically reciprocate the latter, said movable annulus member being provided with a circular series of openings and pivoted shutters arranged automatically to close the openings on the downward stroke of the annulus, a parachute housing carried centrally of the movable annulus member, a spring housing within the parachute housing, a parachute ejector member slidably fitted within the spring housing,

an ejector spring therebeneath, a manual releasable latch for securing the ejector member, a parachute, secured at its outer margin to the parachute housing and at its inner margin to the ejector member and a pilot parachute pivotally 

